Lover of God, nature, wildlife, birds, gardening, photography, travel, simple living, health, pets and seeking a peaceful, healing lifestyle. Life has many hurts and sorrows but within "the [divine] nature in us" we CAN overcome.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

It Is Never Too Late To Be What You Might Have Been

by Donna L. Watkins

Life is full of many challenges. Relationships, finances, health, a job we don't like, death of family, friends and pets. If we focus too much on the problems, we won't see outside that very limiting venue. We all know people who have had problems and rehearsed them so much that they became rather "sour" about life itself. Figuring that "if something's gonna go wrong, it's gonna happen to me" type of mentality. We can't allow ourselves to go there. God tells us in His Word that we have many promises. Jesus came so that we might have life and have it abundantly.

"The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

We can't afford to speak death over ourselves and others around us when there is such a better alternative. If we keep our focus on things above rather than the things of this earth, we will be able to have a greater vision for the future.

I imagine seeing Jesus with my problem and ask myself, "Is He worried over this?" My answer is always "No." If we trust in Him, we can avoid the worrying over it also. It's incredible the amount of peace you can bring into your soul when you sit at the feet of Jesus.

The tough part is being able to stay there ...

but practice makes perfect as we see Him working in our lives and realize more and more each day how much He loves us and provides for us.

When I begin to get gloomy, I begin thanking the Lord for food each day, heat and air conditioning to make me comfortable, all the big and small things He created for our enjoyment in nature, the call from a friend .... once I get started I believe Jesus helps me along with the Holy Spirit whispering in my ear. [Read Article: God Will Fix Your Mess]

Speaking of backyards .... these photos are from our front yard of a Maple tree that has been an inspiration to me for many years. I see it every time I look out my dining room window. It is growing to the right of the Butterfly Bench.

"It is never too late to be what you might have been."

– George Eliott

Here's the hollowed-out trunk of the Maple tree
with two side branches growing out of the bottom .....

in case you think they could have their own root system, which they probably do,
check out the fact that another branch is coming out of the top of that trunk

and yes, that "trunk" or "branch" whatever you want to call it is producing life and leaves.

Here's a closer look at the hollowed out inside of the actual trunk.

It's incredibly amazing that it would be supporting life above it. God has provided for us to do the same. To rise above the circumstances and boldly declare .... I'm not dead! I can support and provide life and love to those who God puts in my world today and those seeds of wisdom, hope or love can produce life and comfort.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

God has a plan for all of us and we must look towards it. Reach for the sky! There are no limits!

Copyright and Reprint Information - All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins, but may be used with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com. Articles written by Donna L. Watkins may also be reprinted with proper credit and link back to the website, www.TheNatureInUs.com.

Copyright and Reprint Information

All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins, but may be used with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNature InUs.com. Articles written by Donna L. Watkins can be reprinted with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com.

Quotes

God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures. -- Francis Bacon

"It is never too late to be what you might have been." – George Eliot - See more at: http://www.thenatureinus.com/#sthash.Rhtw3CRa.dpuf

"It is never too late to be what you might have been." – George Eliot - See more at: http://www.thenatureinus.com/#sthash.Rhtw3CRa.dpuf

"It's never too late to be what you might have been." -- George Eliott

"I've spent too long waiting for what's been taken from me, rather than enjoying what's been given to me." -- Unknown

“In God’s wilderness lies the hope of the world – the great fresh, unblighted, unredeemed wilderness. The galling harness of civilization drops off, and the wounds heal ere we are aware.” -- John Muir

"Faith is the bird that senses the light and sings while dawn is still dark." -- Rabindranath Tagore

"To know something about trees--about even one tree--is to know something profound about the nature of the world and our place in it." -- Gerald Jonas"I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out that there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is." -- Albert CamusLike winds and sunsets, wild things were taken for granted until progress began to do away with them. Now we face the question whether a still higher "standard of living" is worth its cost in things natural, wild and free. For us the minority, the opportunity to see geese is more important than television, and the chance to find a pasque-flower is a right as inalienable as free speech. -- Aldo Leopold (1886-1948)

"It is clear that there is one main message creation has to communicate to human beings, namely, the glory of God. Not primarily the glory of creation, but the glory of God. The glory of creation and the glory of God are as different as the love poem and the love, the painting and the landscape, the ring and the marriage. It would be a great folly and a great tragedy if a man loved his wedding band more than he loved his bride." -- John Piper

"We will do better in all aspects of life if we learn to "let go" of all we hold so tightly to and realize that control is a myth and striving for it is insanity." -- Donna L. Watkins